Remember those posts from before when I said some kick ass awesome is coming our way? Well let me tell you about a piece of that. (There's still sooooo much more coming, it's so exciting. Everyone wonders why I smile so much?! When you are this blessed, you can't help but let it show.) This piece of awesome leads us to a brand new adventure that we are all four extremely excited about and it begins today in just a few hours!!!
I am not sure how many of you remember me talking about the lack of family outings we have here. The vast majority of the trips and opportunities at the hospital are for wounded warrior plus one. So those of us with cuties are left out of many things. I always laugh and remind people that IEDs don't discriminate, they just go after everyone. Unfortunately some of our wounded come with families, sorry that doesn't work for everyone's plans. (Oh the joys of this journey.) Some of the non-profits are truly trying to step up and help the families do some really fun things and are working on helping the whole family heal from this traumatic effects of war.
A few months back, the awesome Pauline from Operation Second Chance (OSC) contacted me. She told me that their non-profit wanted to start sending families on all expense paid cruises. She asked if we'd be interested in going. Of course you know it all depended on dates with our crew. Well it all worked out and in a few hours Chaz, our cuties and I are boarding our first cruise ship with Royal Caribbean and we're heading to Bermuda, thanks to OSC!!!!WOOT-WOOT!!!!!
We will be off the grid. We are turning off cell phones and we're going to enjoy every moment of sailing away!! For 6 days, it will simply be the four of us having a ton of family fun and getting our first stamps in our passports together. Eeeekkkk!!!! (Can you tell I am super excited?!)
We are so thankful OSC blessed us with this opportunity. This organization is operated by the super sweet and incredible Cindy McGrew and her amazing helpers, like Pauline, who I mentioned earlier. Pauline, like me, has her hands full. She is also caring for a family with a wounded warrior as her partner. So she and I have a lot in common.
What is the OSC mission? Super simple, bless our wounded warrior families with as many smiles as possible. Cindy and her crew are always running errands to help our families. I have been a big fan of OSC for a long time now. Cindy entered our life when she brought us tickets to the circus for our family back in March 2011. Then she and Chaz planned together and Cindy showed up one day with NKOTB tickets for me and a friend.
Cindy, Pauline and I are on the same brainwave. We see that the wounded warrior families need as many smiles as possible. So we go out and see what we can do to make that happen. I have partnered with these ladies several times for luncheons, baskets and other events. Now that I am with the Yellow Ribbon Fund I want to foster that relationship and work together so we can bless as many families as possible. The journey to the new normal is made better thanks to people like Cindy and Pauline. I am so thankful to have them on this path with us.
We still can't believe we have been blessed with this incredible opportunity. We are so incredibly thankful. Do you want to learn more about OSC? Please follow this link and learn more today. http://www.operationsecondchance.org/
Cindy and Pauline, thank you so much for blessing us with this opportunity. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I promise to take a gazillion pictures!!
We'll see you next week!!! I have to go finish packing!!!!
Hope you have a fantastic time!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteChrist Himself gives us these promises. Know that I'm here praying so very hard!!!!
Revelation 21:5-7 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
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Know that you're in my thoughts and prayers!
ReplyDeleteRevelation 7:16-17 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
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How fun! I hope you make wonderful memories and post lots of pictures. Don't forget the sunscreen!
ReplyDeleteThese verses offer such great comfort! Praying!
ReplyDeleteJob 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
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Praying!
ReplyDeletePsalms 5:1-3 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
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Whatever happens, the Lord is our shield! Praying!
ReplyDeletePsalms 5:11-12 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
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